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Friday, September 23, 2016

Tarrasque-Fed Mutations

The essence of the Tarrasque bleeds out into Salt in Wounds and the surrounding landscape, reshaping the creatures that live there. These changes can affect both mindless beast and sentient citizen alike. Mutations are commonly gained through drinking Tarrasque blood tainted 'red water' and thus particularly common amongst the most impoverished citizens and wild creatures who do not have access to imported water.

Mutations can also be gained via consumption of undercooked Tarrasque flesh (prudence demands that all flesh consumed in Salt in Wounds must be well-done to the point of being charred black, even if taste would prefer other, rarer cuts) or by utilizing Tarrasque derived alchemy or healing; especially the kind delivered by unskilled practitioners. But there is no universal factor towards gaining a mutation, even the scrupulously careful can sometimes find that merely living in the city will lead to startling transformations.
As expected, due to their work habits approximately 90% of the Marrow Miners are afflicted with one or more mutation. Oddly, God-Butchers almost *never* suffer mutations; the occurrences being so rare that Briddu Yittano's arm is seen as an exceptional aspect to be ogled.

For a hefty fee, the greatest alchemists in Salt in Wounds can remove mutations from the afflicted. Even rarer, are those masters who can coax a specific mutation from the flesh of a willing subject - without the risk of randomization, Tarrasque-fed mutations could turn a humble street urchin into a powerful warrior.

Alchemy, Mutations, and Magic

Standard alchemist charges for mutation related services:

500gp (wealth equivalent to owning a small apartment) to induce a truly random mutation.

2000 gp (wealth equivalent to owning a lesser magic item) to induce a mutation that is as likely to be Weal as Woe

Mutations can also be removed through certain powerful magics like the spell 'restoration.'

Powerful alchemists and especially dangerous creatures are known to be able to have several beneficial mutations at once, or mutations with double the benefit usually associated with its type. This is generally beyond access of player characters however, who can usually only have a single Weal type mutation at any time.

Weal & Woe Mutations

Tarrasque mutations are divided amongst 'Weal' (somewhat beneficial) and 'Woe' (generally detrimental) with Woe mutations being far more common. However, even beneficial 'Weal' mutations can still negatively affect a character, as individuals possessing Tarrasque-Fed mutations are generally viewed as some combination of:

Low class

Irrational

Uncareful and/or

And/or a reminder of a terrible fate that awaits so many residents of Salt in Wounds.

Mechanically, this translated into the following for every mutated character:

In Pathfinder, a -4 Mutation Modifier to Diplomacy and Bluff Checks

In 5e, a Disadvantage on Diplomacy and Bluff Checks

If a character is to undergo a random mutation, roll a d6. On a 1 or 2, they gain a 'Weal' mutation, a 3-6, a ‘Woe’ mutation. At that point, roll a d10 to determine the type of mutation.

Regeneration Your wounds and cuts close faster As a bonus action, you can activate Fast Healing 5 for 10 consecutive Rounds once every 24 hours Pathfinder | You can activate a regeneration to restore 5 hitpoints for 10 consecutive rounds. You must have at least 1 hp to use this feature and can only use it once per long rest 5th Edition.

Claws Your fingers and elongate, thickening into useable claws. The unarmed strikes of the character deal 1d6 piercing or slashing damage and you are proficient with your unarmed strikes. Pathfinder & 5th Edition

Spines Thick spines grow out of pores in your body, and -with a little practice- you are capable of firing these as an offensive weapon. 6 times a day you can fire spines as a 1d6 ranged attack, adding dexterity modifier and base attack bonus to hit. Pathfinder | 6 times a day you can fire spines as a 1d6 ranged attack, adding your competence bonus + dexterity modifier to hit, and your dex modifier to damage. 5th Edition

Tail A tail which you control grows from the base of your spine. Some use this to hold torches, retrieve items, or even assist with balance. While you cannot wield weapons with your tail, you can use it to retrieve small, stowed objects carried on their persons as a swift action. Pathfinder | Your tail grants you advantage on all acrobatics checks as it affords counterbalance 5th Edition

Rush Your legs growing thicker, your knees change allowing to run incredible sprints. For 6 nonconsecutive rounds a day, you can -as a part of your move for 5th Edition and as a free action in Pathfinder- choose to double your move speed.

Woe

Spell Failure Chance Whatever magical abilities you possessed become difficult to utilize as your mind swims with odd impulses when you attempt to use your magical abilities. Roll 1d10, on a 1 the spell fizzles; it counts as a use even as it has no effect. Pathfinder & 5th Edition.

Tumor Somewhere on your body, there is a mass of flesh that keeps growing. An untreated tumor will kill a character in 2d6 weeks (average 7). ‘Treatment’ requires a DC 15 Heal check Pathfinder or a DC 15 Medicine check, +1 for every time the tumor has been previously treated. After every treatment, ‘reset’ the tumor and roll an additional 2d6 (average 7) to determine how long the tumor can go untreated before killing the character.

Rage You are liable to to fly into a rage over any pettiness: a spilled glass, a wound, or an insult. When dropped to below 50% of hitpoints, the character enters a rage as per the barbarian class ability with none of the bonuses and all the limitations. The character can not leave this state until healed above 50% or there are no enemies present. Alternately, if the character is already utilizing the ‘rage’ class feature when dropped below 50% hitpoints, they can choose to double the duration with all benefits/limitations at no additional cost or disadvantage. Pathfinder & 5th Edition

Imprudence You have lost much of your impulse control, you have a tendancy to grab at whatever interests you. Disadvantage on Wisdom Saves 5th Edition | -2 Mutation Modifier on Will Saves Pathfinder

Mute/Trouble speaking Your throat is growing thick and bestial, and are unable to shape intelligible words. Character is now mute, can only communicate verbally through grunts.Pathfinder + 5th Edition

Extreme Hunger You are always hungry and must eat incessantly or grow ill. If the character has not eaten a meal within the last 2 hours, they gain the nauseated condition, if not eaten within the last 4 hours they gain the sickened condition. Pathfinder | If you have not eaten a meal within the last 2 hours, you gain disadvantage on all ability checks, if you have not eaten within 4 hours, you gain disadvantage on all ability checks & attack rolls. 5th Edition

Misshapen Hands Your fat, knobby fingers, full of rapidly fused joints make it difficult for you to use their hands. Disadvantage on all Attacks that involve weapons or tools used by hand 5th Edition | -4 Mutation Modifier to Attack Rolls Pathfinder.